An evening of readings and discussion: Heller's friends and colleagues including Christopher Buckley, Robert Gottlieb and Mike Nichols, revisit his classic black comedy set at the end of WWII, one of the most important books about patriotism, honor, the absurdities of war and beauracracy of the twentieth century. The conversation is led by Lesley Stahl. An excerpt is performed by Scott Shepherd (Gatz). "The rock and roll of novels...There's no book like it." (Norman Mailer)

The Seventh Day

Seven years after the Strangers decimated the planet, Joad is one of the Remaining, the few left unharmed when most of humanity was obliterated. He was halfway around the world when disaster struck and has been trying ever since to get home to Nemo, where he prays his wife waits for him. >Days from his destination, Joad's thrown off-course by four merciless brothers who glide across The Flats in a pirate ship.

Descending Son

If Jess Stark really knew what was on the other side of the coffin lid, he might just decide to remain six feet under…. Jess stayed away from Palm Springs for seven years, avoiding his family and the girl who broke his heart. It took a desperate call from his mother to force him home to see his ailing father. As soon as he was back, Jess found himself embroiled in two suspicious deaths, emotional turmoil with his family, and a supernatural secret that involved them all. The best Welcome Home he received? Winding up in an unmarked grave in the middle of the Coachella Desert.